Exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention provide a substantially rigid exercise apparatus providing resistance. An exercise apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention provides a body having a first end and a second end. The body may be formed from a substantially rigid inner body and an elastomeric outer body supported by the inner body. The body may provide one or more sets of grips along its length. The body may provide one or more textured surfaces along its length. The body may retain one or more weights received through the first end and the second of the body, and the first end and the second end of the body may each be capped by a first cap and a second cap. A connecting element may be fastened to either the first cap or the second cap to join the first end or the second end to a stationary anchor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/755,638, filed Nov. 5, 2018.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In exercise and physical training, it is known to perform weight liftingby the use of a deformable cylindrical apparatus instead of barbells ordumbbells. U.S. Pat. No. 8,231,511 to ViPR LLC discloses such acylindrical apparatus. The ViPR apparatus provides an elastomeric tube,having handles formed by openings through the tube walls. The handles ofthe ViPR apparatus are arc-shaped, following the circumference of thetube. The mass of the ViPR apparatus is concentrated near the exteriorsurface of the tube, leaving the interior of the tube hollow. The ViPRapparatus also provides holes through an end of the tube.

The ViPR patent discloses that the ViPR apparatus provides a low load onthe wrists of a person using the ViPR apparatus. Thus, the ViPRapparatus may be used to perform bicep curls and lunges, and may becarried or dragged using a strap secured through the holes at an end ofthe tube.

The ViPR apparatus does not facilitate any kind of exercise or physicaltraining requiring resistance, since the ViPR apparatus is intended toprovide low load. Furthermore, the ViPR apparatus, being deformable, isintended to be compressed against a user's body without applyingpressure.

There remains a need for an exercise device which enables a widervariety of exercises to be performed by providing resistance andpressure, which are absent from the ViPR apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise apparatus according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a substantially rigidexercise apparatus providing resistance. An exercise apparatus accordingto embodiments of the present invention provides a body having a firstend and a second end. The body may be formed from a substantially rigidinner body and an elastomeric outer body supported by the inner body.The body may provide one or more sets of grips along its length. Thebody may provide one or more textured surfaces along its length. Thebody may retain one or more weights received through the first end andthe second of the body, and the first end and the second end of the bodymay each be capped by a first cap and a second cap. A connecting elementmay be fastened to either the first cap or the second cap to join thefirst end or the second end to a stationary anchor.

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of an exercise apparatus 100 according to anembodiment of the present invention. The exercise apparatus 100 has asubstantially cylindrical form comprising an outer body 110 and an innerbody 120, terminating at a first end 101 and a second end 102. The outerbody 110 may be formed from a deformable sheath about a rigid inner body120, such that the shape of the outer body 110 conforms to the form ofthe inner body 120. The inner body 120 may be formed from a rigidmaterial such as PVC. The inner body 120 may contain an enclosure 130formed through the length of the inner body 120. The enclosure 130 maybe further defined as a first end enclosure 131 opening at the first end101 and a second end enclosure 132 opening at the second end 102. Eachof the first end enclosure 131 and the second end enclosure 132 may havea substantially tubular interior, terminating at an inner end.

One or more sets of grips are set along the length of the exerciseapparatus 100. Within each set of grips, each individual grip is alignedover a common longitudinal axis along the length of the exerciseapparatus 100. Different sets of grips may each be aligned over a commonlongitudinal axis along the length of the exercise apparatus 100 or mayeach be aligned over a different longitudinal axis along the length ofthe exercise apparatus 100. A set of grips may comprise upright grips141 or lateral grips 142, where upright grips 141 are alignedsubstantially orthogonal to the length of the exercise apparatus 100,and lateral grips 142 are aligned substantially parallel to the lengthof the exercise apparatus 100.

A grip is defined by an elongated member spanning, on either side,apertures opening through the inner body 120 of the exercise apparatus100, where the ends of the elongated member are each connected to theouter body 110, the inner body 120, or both. A grip may consist of anintegral piece of the inner body 120, formed by apertures openingthrough the outer body 110 and the inner body 120 on either side of thegrip. A grip may consist of a non-integral member, substantially similarin composition to the inner body 120, spanning an aperture openingthrough the outer body 110 and the inner body 120 such that the gripdivides the aperture into two apertures on either side of the grip,where the grip is affixed to the inner body 120 at the ends of the grip.A grip may be encased in a deformable material substantially consistentwith the deformability of the outer body 110. A grip may be rounded instructure or flat in structure. In the case of a grip flat in structure,the grip may be encased in deformable material having rounded edges.According to an embodiment of the present invention, an upright grip maybe flat in structure and a lateral grip may be rounded in structure.

Along the outer surface of the exercise apparatus 100, one or moretextured surfaces 150 may be present. A textured surface 150 may possessa pattern of protuberances characterized by, for example, ridges,grooves, ribs, or knobs. A textured surface 150 may be of a materialsubstantially less deformable than the outer body 110. A texturedsurface 150 may be composed of a layer of material separate from thematerial of the outer body 110, set upon a portion of the inner body 120not covered by the outer body 110. A textured surface 150 may be aportion of the outer body 110 having less deformability than the rest ofthe outer body 110.

More than one textured surface 150 may be present along the outersurface of the exercise apparatus 100. The protuberances of separatetextured surfaces 150 may vary. Protuberances may take the form ofridges, grooves, or ribs at intervals along a textured surface 150.Protuberances may take the form of knobs at intervals across a texturedsurface 150. Multiple textured surfaces 150 may be positioned across thecircumference of the exercise apparatus 100 relative to each other.Multiple textured surfaces 150 may be positioned across the length ofthe exercise apparatus 100 relative to each other.

The first end enclosure 131 and the second end enclosure 132 may eachhold one or more weights. A weight may be an object having mass suitablefor providing resistance during lifting exercises, shaped to fit withinthe first end enclosure 131 or the second end enclosure 132. A weightmay be an object weighing 2.5 pounds, 5 pounds, 10 pounds, or more.Weights may be gradated in increments of 2.5 pounds, 5 pounds, 10pounds, or more.

The inner ends of the first end enclosure 131 and the second endenclosure 132 may each be positioned such that the first end enclosure131 terminates without overlapping any of the grips of the exerciseapparatus 100, and the second end enclosure 132 terminates withoutoverlapping any of the grips of the exercise apparatus 100. The firstend enclosure 131 and the second end enclosure 132 may each have atermination within the interior of the inner body 120. A termination maybe any structural element which may obstruct the passage of a weightwithin the first end enclosure 131 through the inner body 120 past theinner end of the first end enclosure 131, or may obstruct the passage ofa weight within the first end enclosure 132 through the inner body 120past the inner end of the first end enclosure 132. A termination mayobstruct a weight's passage by providing a complete blockage across theenclosure 130 of the inner body 120, or may obstruct a weight's passageby providing a partial blockage across the enclosure 130 of the innerbody 120.

The mouths of the first end enclosure 131 and the second end enclosure132 may each receive a cap 133. A cap 133 may be a member removablyfastenable to the mouth of the first end enclosure 131 or the mouth ofthe second end enclosure 132 by a mechanism such as mating threads. Acap 133 may have an outer face which is flush with the mouth of thefirst end enclosure 131 such that the cap 133 does not protrude past themouth of the first end enclosure 131, or which is flush with the mouthof the second end enclosure 132 such that the cap 133 does not protrudepast the mouth of the second end enclosure 132.

A cap 133 may have an anchor 134 inset into the outer face of the cap133. An anchor 134 may be a structure capable of receiving a connectingelement fastened to the receiving member 134. For example, an anchor 134may provide a hoop through which a connecting element may be tied. Ananchor 134 may protrude past the mouth of the first end enclosure 131 orprotrude past the mouth of the second end enclosure 132. An anchor 134may be inset into a recess in the outer face of a cap 133 such that itdoes not protrude past the mouth of the first end enclosure 131 orprotrude past the mouth of the second end enclosure 132. An anchor 134inset into a recess may minimize the risk of injury to the user of theexercise apparatus 100 that would be caused by an anchor 134 protrudingfrom the first end 101 or from the second end 102.

While a cap 133 is fastened to the mouth of the first end enclosure 131or to the mouth of the second end enclosure 132, a first end of aconnecting element may be fastened to the anchor 134 of the cap 133 anda second end of the connecting element may be secured to a stationaryanchor apart from the exercise apparatus 100. For example, the secondend of the connecting element may be wedged between a closed door and adoor jamb. The second end of the connecting element may be wedged undera heavy object to the floor. By such means, the exercise apparatus 100may be leashed to a stationary point by the connecting element whilehaving a range of free motion about the stationary point. A connectingelement may be, for example, a resistance band as known in physicalexercise and physical therapy.

In operation, the first end enclosure 131 and the second end enclosure132 of the exercise apparatus 100 may each be loaded with one or moreweights, and a cap 133 fastened to each of the first end enclosure 131and the second end enclosure 132 to secure the weights within eachenclosure. While loaded with weights, the exercise apparatus 100 mayhave sufficient mass to provide resistance in physical exercises orphysical therapy.

The exercise apparatus 100 may provide active resistance for a physicalexercise if one or both ends of the exercise apparatus 100 is secured toa stationary point as described above. Active resistance is providedupon a user of the exercise apparatus 100 exerting a force upon theexercise apparatus 100 in a direction, whereupon the stationary point towhich the exercise apparatus 100 is secured imparts an opposite forceupon the exercise apparatus 100.

The exercise apparatus 100 may provide passive resistance for a physicalexercise. Passive resistance is provided upon a user of the exerciseapparatus 100 lifting the exercise apparatus 100, whereupon gravityimparts an opposite force upon the exercise apparatus 100.

A user may perform various exercises using the exercise apparatus 100.For example, the user may perform lifts using the exercise apparatus 100by wielding the exercise apparatus 100 by upright grips 141. Wieldingthe exercise apparatus 100 in this fashion allows the user to raise theexercise apparatus 100 overhead using both hands turned inward. The usermay perform deadlifts using the exercise apparatus 100 in a similarfashion while the exercise apparatus 100 is secured to stationary pointson a floor. The user may perform curls using the exercise apparatus 100by wielding the exercise apparatus 100 by lateral grips 142. Wieldingthe exercise apparatus 100 in this fashion allows the user to raise theexercise apparatus 100 in front of the user using both hands turnedtowards the user.

The user may perform rows using the exercise apparatus 100. Inperforming such exercises, the user may wield the exercise apparatus 100in both hands and perform rowing motions while the exercise apparatus100 is secured to a stationary point at each end, thus providing activeresistance against the rowing motions.

The user may perform lunges or other such exercises wherein the user'scenter of gravity is shifted, using the exercise apparatus 100. Inperforming such exercises, the user may lean the user's body in adirection so as to imbalance the user's center of gravity while wieldingthe exercise apparatus 100. Wielding the exercise apparatus 100 in thisfashion allows the weight of the exercise apparatus 100, distributedover its length, to provide balance to the imbalance of the user'scenter of gravity.

A user may perform therapy on irritated pressure points along the user'smuscles by pressing a textured surface 150 to the user's body. Inperforming such therapy, the protuberances of the textured surface 150may provide pressure against the user's muscles to create stimulation. Aprotuberance in the form of a pointed knob may provide directed pressureagainst a pressure point along the user's muscles. A protuberance in theform of a rounded knob may provide pressure against a calcified knotalong the user's muscles. A protuberance in the form of an elongatedridge, groove, or rib may provide comparatively milder pressure than aprotuberance in the form of a knob.

While particular elements, embodiments, and applications of the presentinvention have been shown and described, the invention is not limitedthereto because modifications may be made by those skilled in the art,particularly in light of the foregoing teaching. It is thereforecontemplated by the application to cover such modifications andincorporate those features which come within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise apparatus, comprising: a body havinga first end defining a first end enclosure and a second end defining asecond end enclosure; wherein each of the first end enclosure and thesecond end enclosure may receive a weight such that the weight is heldwithin the body; wherein each of the first end enclosure and the secondend enclosure has a mouth which may receive a cap; wherein a set ofgrips is set along the length of the body.
 2. The exercise apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the body further comprises an outer body and an innerbody.
 3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body furthercomprises a textured surface.
 4. The exercise apparatus of claim 3,wherein a textured surface comprises protuberances in the form of knobs.5. The exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein a textured surfacecomprises protuberances in the form of ridges.
 6. The exercise apparatusof claim 3, wherein the body further comprises a plurality of texturedsurfaces.
 7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of thefirst end enclosure and the second end enclosure is defined by atermination within the body such that the first end enclosure does notoverlap with a grip along the length of the body and the second endenclosure does not overlap with a grip along the length of the body. 8.The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein a cap is fastenable to amouth such that the cap is flush with the mouth.
 9. The exerciseapparatus of claim 8, further comprising an anchor integral to an outerface of the cap.
 10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, wherein theanchor is inset within the outer face of the cap.
 11. The exerciseapparatus of claim 1, wherein a set of grips is oriented orthogonal tothe length of the body.
 12. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein aset of grips is oriented parallel to the length of the body.
 13. Theexercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality of sets of grips isset along the length of the body.
 14. The exercise apparatus of claim13, wherein each set of grips of the plurality set of grips is alignedalong a common axis.